What you should know about water wells

How to protect your water source

With the property owners help, the professional work of ground water specialists like Cushing & Sons along with the regulation and technical work of government agencies, can help to ensure safe drinking water. What you know, and what you do about contamination risks are important for the safety of water in homes and communities throughout the US.

What you should know

• The source of your drinking water
• How contamination occurs
• What to do to prevent problems

What you should do

• Handle domestic chemicals responsibly
• Protect against automotive fluid spills
• Properly maintain septic systems
• Use lawn & garden chemicals sparingly
• Safeguard the area around wells
• Always use licensed contractors for water wells
• Routinely check and maintain wells to prevent contamination

What communities should have

• Land-use policies
• Agricultural best management practices
• Water resource management plans
• Programs protecting aquifers and wells
• Well abandonment programs
• Ground water education and consumer awareness programs